Design, Legacy, and Speed: Watches & Wonders 2025 Highlights
From radical reinterpretations to future classics, these standout timepieces capture the energy and evolution of modern watchmaking.
By Anandhi Gopinath
To celebrate 20 years of its iconic square design, Bell & Ross has unveiled a trilogy of skeletonised BR 03 models, each offering a different interpretation of technical architecture. Among them, the BR 03 Skeleton Grey Steel stands out for its clean, metallic brilliance. The 41mm satin-finished steel case houses the new BR-CAL.328 automatic skeleton movement, offering a 54-hour power reserve and a striking openworked architecture. Light plays across the rhodium-plated, Super-LumiNova-filled hands and faceted bridges, designed to evoke the aerodynamic stealth of aviation technology.
The transparent sapphire dial and architectural construction showcase a more technical, sculptural side of the BR 03, without sacrificing the rugged readability that defines the line. Bold yet sophisticated, the Skeleton Grey Steel marks a milestone moment for Bell & Ross—honouring two decades of functional design reimagined through contemporary watchmaking craftsmanship.
Rooted in Bremont’s history of rugged timepieces yet built with modern flair, the Terra Nova 40.5 Jumping Hour brings a rare complication to the brand’s refined field watch aesthetic. The polished and brushed 904L stainless steel case, sized at 40.5mm, houses the exclusive BC634 Jumping Hour calibre, engineered for a crisp and instantaneous jump of the hour disc. Its gloss black dial, detailed with applied markers and a fine minute track, presents an intuitive left-to-right display of hours and minutes, while a centrally mounted seconds hand—tipped in Super-LumiNova—ensures optimal visibility in all light conditions. Offering 100 metres of water resistance, an anti-shock movement mount, and availability on either a robust stainless-steel bracelet or a supple leather strap, this is a technical field watch built for everyday adventures.
This year, TAG Heuer sharpens the racing spirit of the Carrera with the newly reimagined Day-Date 39mm. A cornerstone of the collection since 1963, the Carrera now features a more refined case profile—thinner, sleeker, and ergonomically reworked for greater wearing comfort. The updated sunray-brushed dials, available in black, blue, or white, reinforce the focus on clarity and legibility that made the Carrera a motorsport essential.
Enlarged day and date windows at 3 o’clock improve usability at a glance, while sharp-edged hands and indexes reflect the precision timing DNA. Powered by the automatic Calibre 5, the new model stays true to the Carrera’s racing roots while subtly modernising its proportions for contemporary life. Clean, fast, and unmistakably Carrera—built for the road ahead.
Tudor’s Black Bay 58 has long been a cult favourite, and this year’s new burgundy edition cements its collectability. Inspired by a 1990s prototype Submariner that never saw production, the watch features a radial-brushed burgundy dial paired with a matching aluminium bezel—giving it an unmistakably bold yet elegant presence on the wrist.
Housed in a 39mm stainless steel case and powered by the METAS-certified Calibre MT5400-U, it offers a 65-hour power reserve, Master Chronometer precision, and anti-magnetic performance. Ergonomic upgrades like a redesigned crown and the addition of the T-fit clasp across the rivet-style bracelet, 5-link bracelet, and rubber strap options enhance comfort and wearability. Heritage-rich yet unmistakably modern, the new Black Bay 58 Burgundy is a true standout for collectors and enthusiasts alike.
Oris reimagines one of its most enduring designs with the New Big Crown Calibre 403, linking decades of aviation heritage to modern mechanical excellence. First launched in 1938 for pilots needing quick, clear time-reading, the Big Crown remains instantly recognisable—oversized crown, bold Arabic numerals, and a domed crystal all intact.
The latest 40mm stainless steel version refines the silhouette, introducing a sleeker case and a more balanced dial layout with a small seconds subdial at 6 o’clock. Beneath it beats Oris’ in-house Calibre 403, offering a five-day power reserve, enhanced anti-magnetism, and a 10-year recommended service interval. Fitted with a quick-change steel bracelet and water resistant to 50 metres, the New Big Crown is a confident evolution of a true Oris classic.
Design, Legacy, and Speed: Watches & Wonders 2025 Highlights
From radical reinterpretations to future classics, these standout timepieces capture the energy and evolution of modern watchmaking.
By Anandhi Gopinath
To celebrate 20 years of its iconic square design, Bell & Ross has unveiled a trilogy of skeletonised BR 03 models, each offering a different interpretation of technical architecture. Among them, the BR 03 Skeleton Grey Steel stands out for its clean, metallic brilliance. The 41mm satin-finished steel case houses the new BR-CAL.328 automatic skeleton movement, offering a 54-hour power reserve and a striking openworked architecture. Light plays across the rhodium-plated, Super-LumiNova-filled hands and faceted bridges, designed to evoke the aerodynamic stealth of aviation technology.
The transparent sapphire dial and architectural construction showcase a more technical, sculptural side of the BR 03, without sacrificing the rugged readability that defines the line. Bold yet sophisticated, the Skeleton Grey Steel marks a milestone moment for Bell & Ross—honouring two decades of functional design reimagined through contemporary watchmaking craftsmanship.
Rooted in Bremont’s history of rugged timepieces yet built with modern flair, the Terra Nova 40.5 Jumping Hour brings a rare complication to the brand’s refined field watch aesthetic. The polished and brushed 904L stainless steel case, sized at 40.5mm, houses the exclusive BC634 Jumping Hour calibre, engineered for a crisp and instantaneous jump of the hour disc. Its gloss black dial, detailed with applied markers and a fine minute track, presents an intuitive left-to-right display of hours and minutes, while a centrally mounted seconds hand—tipped in Super-LumiNova—ensures optimal visibility in all light conditions. Offering 100 metres of water resistance, an anti-shock movement mount, and availability on either a robust stainless-steel bracelet or a supple leather strap, this is a technical field watch built for everyday adventures.
This year, TAG Heuer sharpens the racing spirit of the Carrera with the newly reimagined Day-Date 39mm. A cornerstone of the collection since 1963, the Carrera now features a more refined case profile—thinner, sleeker, and ergonomically reworked for greater wearing comfort. The updated sunray-brushed dials, available in black, blue, or white, reinforce the focus on clarity and legibility that made the Carrera a motorsport essential.
Enlarged day and date windows at 3 o’clock improve usability at a glance, while sharp-edged hands and indexes reflect the precision timing DNA. Powered by the automatic Calibre 5, the new model stays true to the Carrera’s racing roots while subtly modernising its proportions for contemporary life. Clean, fast, and unmistakably Carrera—built for the road ahead.
Tudor’s Black Bay 58 has long been a cult favourite, and this year’s new burgundy edition cements its collectability. Inspired by a 1990s prototype Submariner that never saw production, the watch features a radial-brushed burgundy dial paired with a matching aluminium bezel—giving it an unmistakably bold yet elegant presence on the wrist.
Housed in a 39mm stainless steel case and powered by the METAS-certified Calibre MT5400-U, it offers a 65-hour power reserve, Master Chronometer precision, and anti-magnetic performance. Ergonomic upgrades like a redesigned crown and the addition of the T-fit clasp across the rivet-style bracelet, 5-link bracelet, and rubber strap options enhance comfort and wearability. Heritage-rich yet unmistakably modern, the new Black Bay 58 Burgundy is a true standout for collectors and enthusiasts alike.
Oris reimagines one of its most enduring designs with the New Big Crown Calibre 403, linking decades of aviation heritage to modern mechanical excellence. First launched in 1938 for pilots needing quick, clear time-reading, the Big Crown remains instantly recognisable—oversized crown, bold Arabic numerals, and a domed crystal all intact.
The latest 40mm stainless steel version refines the silhouette, introducing a sleeker case and a more balanced dial layout with a small seconds subdial at 6 o’clock. Beneath it beats Oris’ in-house Calibre 403, offering a five-day power reserve, enhanced anti-magnetism, and a 10-year recommended service interval. Fitted with a quick-change steel bracelet and water resistant to 50 metres, the New Big Crown is a confident evolution of a true Oris classic.
